Ruger all weather model 77 in 260 caliber. Or a 7mm-08 would be another good choice. If you hunt game bigger than deer maybe a 308 or 30-06. Find a gun you like and see what calibers it comes in. There are so many choices that it blows your mind. When I first started hunting our choices were 30-30. 270 and 30-06. There were other calibers but those made up about 80 percent of what folks in our area were shooting. Good luck I hope you enjoy a long life of hunting as I have.
The .270 would be another great choice as well. Super cartridge and light recoil. I have an eleven year old son and he can shoot my .270 all day long so you should be fine with any of the above mentioned cartridges.
One thing about the .270 and 30-06 is that they are chambered in about 90% or better of rifles made so you will have unlimited choices of rifles to choose from and ammo is everywhere you look. Recoil of these cartridges really isn't that bad at all. You should be just fine with anything up to and including the 30-06.
If you have any friends or relatives that have any guns larger than the .243 then get together with them and go to the range and see for yourself. You just may surprise yourself as to what you can handle.
Good luck with your new rifle when you get it.
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My son is 14 and slight of build but he handles a .308 just fine. If you can shoot a 12 ga shotgun, you can handle more recoil than most hunting rifles will throw at you. The .308 is very good for deer and can be used for elk. Probably most bear as well (not browns or grizzleys) I would guess. You can shoot cheap military ammo or shoot light magnum ammo for hunting big stuff.
A .243 will do the job on deer. I think the major problem with the .243 is people tend to shoot too light of a bullet and try to take long shots. With a good 100gr or heaveir bullet, like the Nosler patrition, and keeping shots under 200yds, the .243 is an effective deer round. Bullet placement is important with the .243, as it is with any rifle. But some very good alternatives are the .257 Roberts, 260 Rem., 7mm-08, and .308 Win. Any of these rounds can be had in rifles that are short, light weight, and mild recoil.
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I agree with 1 Shot, the .243 with good 100 grain bullets is a very good minimum deer caliber! For calibers that put a wollop on game and not on your shoulder, you'd be hard pressed to find any better than the .260 or 7MM-08 though! Good luck!
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small gun bigger than .243
